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Seagull Canoe Outfitters
& Lakeside Cabins
Gunflint Trail Canoe Outfitter on Seagull & Saganaga Lakes accessing Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Canada's Quetico Park

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Hello from Seagull!

Hi everyone!

We have been incredibly busy this June!  Twas' the season for staff training, and we are very excited for you all to meet our team upon your arrival at Seagull this summer! It's incredibly difficult to imagine that it's almost July already... time has flown!

Deb, Dave, Brittney, Nate, Alex, and Tia have returned for another successful season, and we have welcomed seven new additional staff from throughout the country. We are happy to have Ian (California), Tucker, Mason, and Liz (Minnesota), Sam (Ohio), and Rachel (Wisconsin) on our team for 2017. Everyone is trained, anxious to meet new customers, and ready to make your BWCA and Quetico dreams come true! Shoutout to Wayne and Jim Vanek (below) for thirty years of dedication of Seagull Outfitters! Thank you guys, and we'll see you next year!


Reservations have been pouring in; we have a very busy season ahead of us. We do still have a few cabin openings for Summer 2017... check out our cabin availability at https://www.seagulloutfitters.com/about-our-cabins/. You'll have to act fast; they won't be available for long! YES, there are still BWCA and Quetico entry permits available! Call us today at 218-388-2216 to discuss your options.

NEW IN 2017: HIGH SPEED WIFI IN EACH OF OUR RENTAL CABINS! We understand that many of you cannot disconnect completely from work, so we have answered your demands with the installation of high-speed WiFi in each of our cabins on Seagull and Saganaga Lake(s).

The lake water is clear and the undergrowth is looking incredibly green due to the amount of rain that we've received earlier this spring. The blueberry crop this year will be OUTRAGEOUS; we'll be sure to keep you posted with photos along the way! Water levels are average/slightly above average.




We've seen quite a few moose in the past month or so, and even a few bears along the side of the Gunflint on our way to town! Remember, this is their home, so please try to be respectful should you encounter wildlife on your trip. We LOVE customer photo submissions... it makes you feel like you're there with them in the woods! Check out the moose that we spotted on Sag Lake Trail (above) a few weeks ago!







Fishing has been INCREDIBLE. Prepare yourself for whopping smallmouth bass, delicious northern pike, and trophy walleye! Ask the Seagull staff where the fish are biting upon your arrival; I promise that they won't disappoint :) We look forward to seeing you on the water!

Thanks again for following our adventures; we hope to see you this summer at Seagull Outfitters!



Friday, April 28, 2017

Summer will be here SOON!

Hi everyone!

Myself (Brittney), Nate, Deb, and Dave are back on-site on Seagull Lake and have been working hard to prepare Seagull Outfitters for the 2017 paddle season! We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but we're looking forward to seeing all of your smiling faces within the next few weeks :)

Ice officially went out of Seagull Bay on April 14, 2017- but we've had quite a blast of cold air the past week. Lows are in the 20s and our bay has begun to freeze again. Roads are slick- the combination of snow and sleek has caused quick a stir for Gunflint travelers. Not good! Crossing our fingers that warm temps will appear next week. We're eager to get guests out on the water!

We've hired ten staff total for our 2017 season. Deb hired me year-round in January as the Guest Services Manager and I'll be working for my fourth summer at Seagull, Nate will be returning to aid with the outside logistics/tows for his third summer, and Alex will be returning to assist me with the office/routing work for his second summer. We're welcoming seven bright personalities to our staff- please say hello to Rachel, Jaken, Sam, Liz, Tucker, Ian, and Max when you arrive! We're very excited to start working with them.

We've been busy promoting our NEW online reservation form for 2017 reservations at https://www.seagulloutfitters.com/reservations/. It's very simple... fill out your contact information, trip details, and make your deposit online before submission. Once approved, you receive an email confirmation with your trip details! Painless, easy, and available 24/7!

Make a note that the Minnesota Fishing Opener is on May 13, 2017! We are happy to open our cabins on May 12th to accommodate early fishermen. Good luck this year! Get excited!

Did you know that we're on social media? Follow us, like us, tweet at us...
we want to hear from you!
Facebook: Seagull Canoe Outfitters
Instagram: @seagullcanoeoutfitters
Twitter: @seagullcanoe

Have neat pictures from your canoe trip or cabin trip that you'd like to share?
Send them our way at seagull@seagulloutfitters.com and we'll share them with our fans :)

More later! Sending all our best wishes.
The Seagull Canoe Outfitters Team





Sunday, October 18, 2015

Seagull Staff October Adventure

Hello Everyone! Seagull Staffer here to report on all the wonderful events from our end of the season adventure!  The trip began on a beautiful October 3rd morning with a tow out to Hook Island by Dave himself! After getting into the Cache Bay ranger station we had an amazing tailwind making our first day of paddling a real breeze. Paddling across Saganagons we heard our first wolf howl, this continued all through the first and second night!  The animal encounters did not end there, we had our first (but sadly only) moose sighting in Kawnipi.  A cow in the bay right across form our campsite, feeding in the sunlight of the warm day.  We all sat and watched, keeping our eyes open for a bull!  Our bear barrel handles broke off on day 3 due to the weight of packing food for 15 days. Luckily handyman Jon was able to fashion new ones out of paracord and wood! We ran into our last customers of the season on the falls chain, they were enjoying the spectacular fishing as much as we were!  Our first catch of the trip was a feisty northern pike who we planned to have for dinner.  He must have had other plans because as soon as the word fillet was spoken, he bit through our stringer and swam away! Luckily for us he was easily replaced, and by something even better... WALLEYE!  We were all very excited for that fish dinner! The fantastic fishing continued all through Kawnipi and into the begging of Kahshahpiwi Creek. We had our first encounter of miss marked maps when attempting to move into our next leg of the trip.  After a few extra hours attempting to find portages and unplanned lift overs (due to low water levels) we made it into Cairn Lake just in time for a beautiful sunset.  The only bummer about paddling through a sunset is setting up camp in the dark. This night also marked our first night/day of rain.  Our spirits were not too dampened by the rain, it let off to a light mist by afternoon and was accompanied by another wonderful tailwind.  The portages became less rugged the closer we got to Kahshahpiwi Lake.  The most memorable portage of all came out of Side Lake.  It felt like it was created for mountain goats! By the end of our double portage we had all stripped down to our base layers, they boys even went shirtless for the second trip!   This day ended at a campsite in Isabella Lake picked by Jon, not for the quality of the campsite but for the spectacular cliff beside it! We began the next morning early knowing we had to cross over the big body of Basswood that day to return to the American side of the park.  This was by far our hottest day of the trip. Looking back at weather reports it was close to 80 that day. We came prepared for a variety of weather given the time of year but never guessed we would get a day like that!  It could not have come at a better time either as we were all in need of a dip in the lake after the sweaty portages the day before!  We did not encounter another group of paddlers until reaching the portage out of Birch Lake into Melon Lake. On this day we ran in to 3 separate groups of paddlers.  The next couple of days were a breeze of paddling and small portages going into Knife Lake.  We stopped by thunder point to take in the view. This may have been one of our windiest days and unloading the canoe on slippery shorelines turned into a real balancing act! The next Lakes on the list were Estar and Hanson.  Our layover day on Hanson was the second strangest day of weather we had.  A combination of beautiful sunny hours to rain then hail then back to sun and a rainbow.  Mother Nature could not make up her mind!  The day ended with more hail and wind but by this point in the day we were well prepared for it! We woke up to real October weather that morning, frost and ice covered almost everything.  That was the hardest day to leave our morning fire! We set out the day with a light head wind on the way to see the remains of Bennys homestead, one of Nate's idols. Next we were on to our last campsite at Englishman’s Island.  By the time we rounded American point the wind was doing all the work for us helping to reach our campsite in record time.  It was our 14th night and the windiest one yet.  We all went to bed that evening praying for the winds to die by morning otherwise we would be in for an unpleasant day on Sag! Paddling back to the 81 landing the next morning was a special experience for the boys who were accustomed to zipping by in towboats, the slower pace of paddling gave them a great opportunity to take in all the sights and beauty of Sag.  We are reluctant to leave after spending 15 spectacular fall days in Quetico and BWCA filled with phenomenal weather, beautiful fall colors, excellent fishing, and great company.  It was all made possible by the most amazing woman in the Boundary Water, Deb Mark!  We can't thank you enough for making this trip of a lifetime possible for us!

Friday, July 10, 2015

Sunshine on Seagull

Hi everyone!
Seagull Lake is looking more beautiful than ever as we reach temperatures in the high 70s with sunny skies. The water is so blue. We've had a lot of happy paddlers coming off the water in the last few days, and we are gearing up to help many more begin their journey this weekend! Cabin customers in our Big Sag cabin had great luck with their bass fishing this last week, and together they brought in some impressive hooks! Also- some exciting news... the blueberries are beginning to ripen! We had a lot of rain early in the summer season, and our warm temperatures lately have helped the blueberry crop begin to thrive. Some of our staff members, Brittney and Rachel, went berry picking yesterday and came up with half a Ziploc of Raspberries! We have seen quite a few bear and moose lately... we've had two moose in our bay within the last week! What a time to be alive. Loving the sunshine and our Seagull customers!

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Canoe Country Updates

Hi everyone!
Here it is, almost July, and it feels as if the summer has just begun!! We have quite a few parties out on the water right now, and we are looking forward to seeing all of our upcoming parties as well. It's such a wonderful feeling to see returning customers year after year because we are able to develop genuine friendships with our clients as they experience the canoe country. It is also a great feeling to meet new customers as they enter the BWCA for the first time! With that being said, if you are considering booking a trip for July or August, BOOK EARLY! We're looking to have a busy summer, and our Kevlar canoes are going to be flying off the racks as we near the peak of our season. Our staff members have been enjoying their days off as well. Kelsi and Tara are going up to the Quetico tomorrow afternoon, and Brittney and Jon are going to be exploring the South Knife/Ester and Hanson area at the end of the week! It's great to see our staff members exploring the Boundary Waters, because it creates a more personal connection to our reservations, and that's something that we pride ourselves on here at Seagull Outfitters. They've endured the portages, paddled the miles, and earned their knowledge in this business in just a short time. Be sure to say hello to them during your stay! We're looking forward to having you :)

Thanks for your business, and we look forward to many years to come!

Saturday, May 30, 2015

End of May 2015

As we near the conclusion of the month of May, it is nice to reflect back on how far we have come in the past month. We have welcomed twelve staff members to our team this year, and we have been training them to assist you with anything you need! They've been working hard- so make sure to say hello to them when you stop in! Our neighborhood fox, Leroy, has been spotted lurking around our store multiple times in the past week- he actually will follow our staff members around like a dog! The fish are biting, and our cabin customers have been pulling in Walleye and Lake Trout that would impress any fisherman. Additionally, moose have been spotted outside our store in the early morning hours, as well as on the road leading to our cabins on Saganaga Lake. The oddest thing occurred today- we had 15 minutes of light snowfall! Following a week of temperatures in the 70s, we had to dig out our sweaters for this morning's routine. We're expecting a bustling summer of many reservations and smiling faces. Make your reservation today, you won't regret it!

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Seagull Summer 2015 Has Begun!

Hi everyone!
Seagull Summer 2015 has begun! Reservations are pouring in as we prepare for another extraordinary summer on Seagull Lake! Brittney and I have been extremely busy on the phones as we help our cabin and canoe customers plan the perfect visit to the Boundary Waters. Our Seagull Staffers have been arriving slowly throughout the last few weeks, and we're up to 8 so far! Still waiting for a few more to arrive. We have a good mix of returners and newcomers, so we're looking to have a good year at Seagull Outfitters! For those of you that know our neighborhood fox, Leroy, he's been spotted running through the parking lot a few times this month already. He's ready for more of his friends to come back and visit! The walleye are biting, and some of our cabin customers in Ogish had wonderful luck on the water earlier this week. We're more than happy to help our customers with any fishing or camping needs that they may need out in the woods, and we've proven it! To find more information about our facilities, or to make a reservation, visit our website today at www.seagulloutfitters.com :) See you soon!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Paddling Season is Coming

Greetings,

The paddling season is around the corner.  We have added some NEW Northstar Bell Northwind Tandem Kevlar canoes to the fleet once again this spring.  In addition, we have purchased a couple of NEW Northstar Bell Solo Northwinds in Kevlar.  Since the Northwind is such a popular boat for us, we think you will really like the stability and speed of the new solos. 

A recurring theme I had heard all winter long while taking reservations really strikes a chord with me. I have had many paddlers returning after a 20-25 year break from coming to the canoe country.  They have had many reasons they haven't been back.  However, they have all mentioned it was one of the best experiences of their lives and they need to get back while they still can.  So, it will be a reunion of sorts for many long time Seagull customers this summer.  It warms my heart to think Seagull and the canoe country holds such a special spot for many.

We have 4 great returning key staffers in 2015.  We are very happy to have Jon, Zach, Brittany and Mariah back with us.  They all know the inner workings to make Seagull Outfitters what it is and will be a great asset to us this summer.  In addition, we have hired some great new young folks to assist us as well. 

The Gunflint Trail and Cook County Visitor's Bureau will be holding a "Boundary Waters Expo" on Seagull Lake at the Blankenburg Landing in June.  The dates are June 12-14.  The event  has some great speakers, equipment dealers and boat demos.  You might want to try to fit your canoe trip around those dates.  Follow this link for more info at http://www.visitcookcounty.com/bwcaexpo .  In addition, you can search "Boundary Waters Expo" on Facebook.  Stay tuned for some special Seagull Packages in conjunction with this event.



Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Enjoying a little down time at Seagull

Winter is upon us at Seagull.  The cold and snow came early in November.  We thought we might be in for quite a winter but it has been mild of late and not a lot of snow accumulation. Our bay was froze over by mid November.

 

We have been enjoying some down time before the phone and reservations start coming in for the summer.  The 2015 rates and  cabin availability are current on the website.  In addition, we are switching over to a Wordpress site which will allow us to do some new things.  We are very anxious for that to happen.
 
Our fall project was a remodel of the downstairs of our Big Sag Cabin.  We actually raised the cabin and replaced the block walls.  We will finish the rest in the spring and think you will like the new look. 
 
Some dates to remember for 2015.
  • Boundary Waters Permit Reservations open January 28, 2015
  •  Quetico Park Permits can be reserved 5 months in advance of your trip departure date...so June 1 permits can be reserved January 1, etc.
  • MN Fishing Opener is May 9th, 2015.
  • Ontario Quetico Fishing Opener is May 16th, 2015.
  • Seagull Cabins open on May 8th, 2015.
  • Seagull Outfitters will open as soon as the ice goes out!
We are hiring staff now for the summer season.  If you know someone that may fit well with us, please send them our way.  We are hoping to get some returnees from the past summer.  We had a great crew of Jon, Fritz, Zach and Katie that got us through September.  Mariah from the summer of 2013 will be back for part of the coming summer. We are hoping Brittany will be working the phones again in 2015!  She did a great job for us as well. 
 
We finished with a strong 2015 season despite the slow start.  We want to thank all of you for your business.
 
We look forward to hearing from you  as you plan for the summer.  Happy Holidays!
 
Deb 
 

 
 
 


Thursday, July 10, 2014

Seagull Summer

Hi everyone!
What a beautiful summer! The water temp is finally increasing and we have highs in the mid 70s every day now! We had our first thunderstorm of the summer a few nights ago, and bugs are out in full swing. Make sure you bring your head nets and plenty of bug dope if you're planning on making the trek up here! We have groups heading up to the Quetico on a daily basis, and many groups are entering the Boundary Waters for their first time! Just this morning, we had a group with three youngsters that were set on spotting a bear during their time in the wilderness. We had a moose by the store a week or so ago, so we made sure to upload some pictures to our Facebook page! One of our staff, Brittney, was so excited- as it was her first moose spotting! Our staff are also practicing their bean bag toss skills in their downtime. We're going to challenge them to a tournament soon! We have a new staff member, Eli, and we're expecting big things from him! We are going to take a staff picture on Monday morning- so be sure to check our Facebook page to see their beautiful faces. Ha! The fish are biting and life could not be better right now. If you're looking at making a reservation, do it- you won't regret it!
 


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

June

Hi all,

Business is in full swing as we quickly approach the close of June. Our guests are happier than ever, and the fishing has been very successful in both the Boundary Waters and Quetico. Numerous people have caught Walleye, Pike, and Smallmouth Bass- and many have even sent in pictures of the fish they catch. The bugs are not THAT BAD. However, a good head net and some bug dope would not hurt while base camping. We are getting excited for a busy Fourth of July weekend, and the weather is looking to be brighter than ever this summer. We've had very few thunderstorms so far, and we're hoping to keep the streak going. Reservations are coming in from all over the country, and our staff is very optimistic about the satisfaction of our customers. We have a lot of new faces coming through our store, as we help prepare trips for even the inexperience paddler. We also have numerous repeat customers making an appearance on our docks again. Just the other day we had a young lady come in to say hi that had been with us as a young child! The bond that we create with our customers is unexplainable. If you're interested in making a reservation, feel free to let us know and we will do everything we can to make sure that your experience with us is nothing short of spectacular. I'm looking forward to working with you all.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

May

As May comes to a close, it's nice to reflect back on the month we've had. Business is in full swing as we have people from all over the country coming into our store. We had a college group from Illinois head out this morning, and we've taken reservations from areas as far as Florida and Arizona! We have a full staff now, with 11 bright smiling faces ready to help you with anything you need! The 2014 staff includes: Katie, Jon, Brittney, Jason, Elizabeth, Christian, Mariah, Fritz, Trent, Brock, and Jacob. They've been working hard to learn the area and the SO ways of life, so be sure to say hi to them when you stop in! The water is clear and the leaves are turning green in the area, so we've captured some beautiful pictures. The fish are biting! Two of our customers staying in the Ogish Cabin last week caught about 20 pounds of Walleye in the North Bay on Seagull Lake over the course of two days, and staff members have been bringing in many Smallmouth and Pike as well. Moose have been spotted in the early hours behind the store, and a fox has been visiting and watching the staff work. The staff members have decided to call him Leroy! The weather has been beautiful the past weeks, with highs in the 70s and very few thunderstorms. For current weather conditions of Seagull, simply look at the home page of our website for our webcam pictures, which are updated throughout the day. If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation, don't hesitate to contact us! Dave and I, as well as our staff, will do everything we can to ensure that your trip experience is one to remember.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Spring is on its way!

It has been a long, cold and snowy winter in the Northwoods.  However, temperatures are warming and I think we are out of the below zero stuff as we head into April.  At least we hope so!

I think we are all dreaming of open water, loons and the tug of a walleye.  We could add wildflowers, a great blueberry crop and a busy season to that list too.

Our 2014 staff has been hired and we think we have some great ones.  We have a number of staffers that will be with us through September as well which is always a bonus.  We also have Jon and Katie returning from 2013 to provide great assistance on both the inside and outside of the business.

We have an ice out contest going on at the discussion forum of our website at http://forums.seagulloutfitters.com/post/ice-out-contest-2014-6791659?trail#1 .  Make your ice out prediction here to win a Granite Gear Canoe Pack.  You can also follow the ice conditions on our website and scroll down to the bottom of the page where you can see the webcam live. It is a great tool to watch spring arrive in the canoe country!

We have added new canoes, packs and 2 new towboats to our fleet for 2014!

Perhaps this photo below will get us all excited after the long winter in the Northwoods and start planning your summer vacations!  It will be here before we know it!

We are always here to take your calls and make your vacation as spectacular as we can at Seagull Outfitters and Cabins!

Deb

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

It is January at Seagull! Happy New Year!

 
The pine grosbeaks are back at the feeder much to my delight.
 
 
The winter wonderland at Seagull continues with lots of snow and cold.
 
 
There is nothing finer than a North Woods fire in the fireplace each night.
 
 
Our Red/Green House looks cozy with the new paint job against the winter white.
 


 
The ruffed grouse thinks he is hiding on a recent walk to the mail box.
 

 
It is time to start thinking summer and open water.  Hard to imagine now but it will be paddling water again soon!
 
May 11, 2014 Minnesota Fishing Opener
May 11, 2014 Seagull Outfitters Opens for the Season
January 29, 2014 Boundary Waters Permit Reservation System Opens
 
Please call or email with your trip planning questions.  We look forward to seeing all of you again in 2014!
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, October 28, 2013

The end of the 2013 Paddling Season

The 2013 paddling season has officially ended!  We had a great summer despite the late start due to the ice on the lakes.  Our Seagull Staff worked hard to ensure you all had a great trip from start to finish.  We had 4 staffers on through September that helped tremendously to close things down for the off season.  We couldn't have done it without Zach, Katie, Lucas and Jon.  Our closing was a breeze this year.

 

Staffer Jon on the right has been out in the canoe country on a trip since October 1.  Dave and I dropped him off at Saganaga and he plans to be out until early November.  Look at the huge smile on his face in the photo below.  He can't get enough of this canoe country and will be with us in 2014.   Katie had so much fun putting everything away in late September that she plans to return in May 2014 and put the store and packing room back together.  We are thrilled that she will be back as well. 


We had some great October weather for a couple of weeks.  We were able to get out on Sag and Seagull and do some fishing and just enjoy the warmer fall weather without a long list of projects.  We are currently putting in a new septic system on our Sag property and Dave is busy working on some of the odds and ends of that job.

One of my highlights this summer was having my niece Ella on board from early August through mid September.  She helped me in the store and office and was my personal assistant and did a fantastic job.  Interestingly enough, I think she kind of liked it too!
We went fishing on Seagull one day and she proudly caught lots of lakers and walleyes. Have you ever seen such a big beautiful smile?!


I have been taking a break from Seagull before diving into 2014 marketing, etc.  It is wonderful to have the opportunity to step away for a bit and realize how precious and beautiful our backyards are in this Northwoods!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Sun is Shining, and the Fish are biting!

All is well up here in the Northwoods! We have finally reached high 80s this week, and the sun is going to continue to shine. A couple of pictures to show you how beautiful it really is!

Staff enjoying Blankenburg Beach
Toes in the Lake!
While everyone continues to head out into the woods so should you! There is nothing more relaxing then being in the woods in the fall. This is a quieter time so you will not see campsites and portages so crowded. The leaves will be changing colors and you can listen to the water rolling on shore. Nothing beats that kind of serenity. You might even see a bull moose with it's full fledged antlers. We are outfitting through the month of September so call us or visit our website to book your reservation.

And while you are enjoying the sights and sounds cast in a line! Fish are biting and will continue to! A cabin customer today caught a 30" walleye on Seagull Lake....now that sounds like a great dinner! For the fall you are going to want those minnows to put on your hook to catch those tasty fish.
 
Come have a great end to your Summer and an even better start to your Fall with us! Hope to see you soon!




Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Where Did Summer Go?!

Whoa! Is it just me, or is summer flying by?! I guess the saying goes, "time flies when you're having fun," and boy has it been a fun summer. This season has been full of adventure for all who have traveled up the Gunflint. From hiking new territory in the BWCA to catching a fresh walleye dinner…we have all had our favorite moments. Now we are in the midst of peak season. It’s a lot of work, but lots of fun! People like to come this time of the year because the bugs start to die down and the waters are warmed up for swimming. We can't blame them - it is a beautiful time to enjoy the BWCA.
Well I think it’s about time we talk fishing! Trips to the Quetico have ended with great Walleye catches. From Saganagons up into Kawnipi (fisherman's heaven) you are bound to get some big ones in about 20 to 25 feet of water, and you can even catch them as deep as 30 feet. Down in Seagull we've seen a mix of everything. Some good sized Walleye, Northern, lots of Smallies and even some of those HUGE Lake Trout! Take a look at this Trout caught right out on Seagull early this morning by Deb’s niece Ella....she proved to be a real fisherman :)
There is not much that can compare to catching your own fish, filleting it and enjoying every bite, but exploring some of the BWCA's breathtaking scenery comes pretty close. Take a look at this picture taken on the Stairway portage between Duncan and Rose Lake…it seems surreal 
That’s all for now, but just a reminder that we are still taking reservations for the 2013 season and are happy to help you plan an unforgettable BWCA experience :)

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Happy Official Summer

Well the calendar tells us it is officially summer…finally! With all the cold weather we thought we would never see the day. What's even better is that you can feel summer in the air. Just last night I was sitting outside on the picnic table looking up at the star filled sky with a cool beverage in my hand feeling the warm breeze on my face and embracing the surrounding beauty. Those moments remind us how important it is to take a moment, breath and enjoy the simple things in life....and while we are on the subject of enjoying the simple things, let's talk about fishing!

This is an excellent time of the year for catching topwater smallmouth. They have just finished spawning and are still in the shallows. Walking bait is preferred by most anglers and depending on the mood of the fish – poppers, prop bait and buzzers are all a common weapon of choice, but you can always stick with a jig and leech if you prefer live bait. The walleye are also coming around, and Saganaga Lake has some large ones waiting for you...just look at what our friend, John Matthews caught during a day out on Sag. Lake...a 29 incher!!


Of course, summer isn't summer without kids running around...and boy have we had fun with them. There is nothing like watching    young ones explore the BWCA for the first time. They are interested in everything and have loads of questions! And did I mention they are as cute as can be...

 

The last thing we will leave you with is a picture taken by Brian Mader of some beautiful moccasin flowers that can be seen across the Northwoods...if you are looking to get away from your fast-paced lifestyle and take time to smell the flowers, you've found the place...now all you need is to get here!
 
 
 


Sunday, June 16, 2013

School's Out for the Summer and the Gunflint Trail is Getting Busy!

This past week has been a busy one here at Seagull Outfitters and we LOVE it! The store is full of smiling faces who are excited to start their adventure, along with new stories from those who just came off the lake. The warm weather seems to be sticking around and although it has brought along the bugs it also brought some active fish! Walleye are starting to heat up and are biting best in about 15' of water. As always, jigs and slip bobbers are the best weapon of choice. Smallies are really aggressive right now and can be caught best in the shallows and close to shore. If you are up for a challenge, the Lake Trout are still around and shallow enough to catch! Below are a few pictures from recent trips. The first is one is one of the Mcnabb boys who caught some great Smallies up in Quetico. The second is of our staffer Brad and his string of walleye....both sound delicious right about now…



This is also the time of the year to see Wildflowers bloom and a trip up to Blueberry Hill would tell you that it is going to be a good year for blueberry picking! Of course, the best way to top off a day in the Northwoods is with one of those breathtaking sunsets. So we will leave you with a spectacular  picture take by Jeff Kudla, but remember - to capture all of the beauty this place has to offer you really have to come see it with your own two eyes!

...



Sunday, June 9, 2013

Warm Weather and Walleye!

The 70 and 80 degree weather has finally come and we are all hoping it is here to stay! The water is getting warmer and we are now starting to hear stories of the walleye bites. They are a little late this year because of our "extended winter," but we are happy nonetheless! Leeches have been the bait of choice here in the BWCA or if you are heading into Quetico, the mimic Gulp leeches are always a great alternative. We are still waiting on our walleye pictures so get up here and send us your shots! We are continuing to see some huge northern...take a look for yourself at what some of our new staffers, Tyler and Brad caught off the dock...

 
Our recent guests, the Dwyer party, who stayed in the Red House cabin also caught some of the biggest northern in their life...we are waiting for their pictures but we were able to capture some of their smallmouth catches with our seagull camera....
 

 
We love when our guests share their experiences...although we don't like to see them go, we always know there is next year!
 
If you are not much of a fisher, the North Woods has lots more to offer this time of the year. The loons have returned and are nesting, the moose viewing is always exciting, and this year is supposed to be one of the best for seeing northern lights in 11 years! All of us are staying up a little later in hopes that we can see the sky light up.
 
We will keep you updated on what the warmer weather brings to the Gunflint Trail, but until next time check out the great picture our staffers, Carlie and Mariah took on their way up the Gunflint...